I shifted in the warm bathwater, acutely aware of Alaric's arousal pressing against me as I straddled his lap. The morning light filtered through the bathroom window, casting a golden glow across the water droplets clinging to his broad shoulders. His eyes, dark with desire, held mine captive.
"Happy birthday to me, indeed," he murmured, his strong hands gripping my thighs.
I placed my palms on his chest, feeling his heartbeat quicken beneath my fingertips. A sudden boldness surged through me – a desire to take control, to give him something unexpected on his special day.
"Wait," I whispered, pressing him back against the tub's edge.
Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
I shook my head, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Not at all. But today is your birthday. Let me..."
